Predictive factors for primary amputation in trauma patients in a Nigerian university teaching hospital (original) (raw)

2007, East African Medical Journal

The decision to attempt salvage or to amputate a severely injured limb is among the most difficult decision that the orthopaedist must face. Objective: To determine possible predictive factors that could become guides in taking decision for primary amputation as a first line treatment for trauma patients. Design: A prospective study of post-traumatic primary limb amputations. Results: Sixty six traumatised patient limbs were primarily amputated during the study period.